Who Was Valmik Thapar, India's ‘Tiger Man’, Who Passed Away At 73?

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Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 12:00 IST

Valmik Thapar dedicated his life to the study and conservation of wild tigers, especially in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park.

Valmik Thapar, an eminent wildlife conservationist of India and an author, passed away at 73 at his residence on Saturday morning. He dedicated his life to the conservation of wild tigers, particularly in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park.

He was the son of Romesh Thapar, a well-known journalist. His aunt is historian Romila Thapar.

He graduated with a gold medal in sociology from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and married theatre artist Sanjana Kapoor, daughter of actor Shashi Kapoor.

Thapar was guided by Fateh Singh Rathore, a legendary figure in Indian wildlife conservation and one of the core members of the original Project Tiger team.

Who Was Valmik Thapar?

Over a career spanning five decades, Valmik Thapar was a tireless advocate for tiger conservation, pushing for stricter anti-poaching laws and the protection of tiger habitats. He served on over 150 government committees and task forces, including the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by the Prime Minister. In 2005, he was appointed to the Tiger Task Force, established by the UPA government to assess the management of tiger reserves after tigers vanished from the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Thapar firmly believed that long-term tiger survival depended on preserving areas free from human activity. He argued that a minimum core area must be managed in its natural state exclusively for tigers. He authored or edited more than 30 books on wildlife, including Land of the Tiger: A Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent (1997) and Tiger Fire: 500 Years of the Tiger in India.

He also presented and co-produced several acclaimed wildlife films, notably the six-part BBC series Land of the Tiger (1997), showcasing the Indian subcontinent’s biodiversity.

In 2024, he appeared in the documentary My Tiger Family, reflecting on 50 years of observing wild tigers in Ranthambore. Thapar was critical of Project Cheetah, warning that India lacks the habitat, prey, and expertise for sustaining free-ranging African cheetahs.

Ashesh Mallick

Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes...Read More

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